Nothing’s CMF goes Indian: $100 million investment expected to create over 1,800 jobs

New Delhi: Smartphone maker Nothing is expanding its affordable sub-brand CMF by establishing it as an independent subsidiary headquartered in India. The move positions India as the global center for CMF’s operations, research, and manufacturing, the company announced on Thursday.

In a strategic partnership, Nothing has entered a $100 million joint venture with Indian electronics manufacturer Optiemus Infracom Limited. This collaboration is expected to create over 1,800 jobs in India within the next three years, underlining the country’s growing importance in the smartphone manufacturing ecosystem.

India will not only serve as CMF’s manufacturing base but also aims to become a global hub for smartphone production and exports through this partnership. Nothing has already invested upwards of $200 million in India, emphasizing the nation’s vital role in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Launched in 2023, CMF has rapidly gained traction in India’s budget smartphone and wearables segment. The brand focuses on devices priced below $200—a key market segment where more than 42 percent of phones sold in India during the second quarter of 2025 were priced between $100 and $200, according to IDC data.

Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, said, “The joint venture marks a significant milestone in building CMF into India’s first truly global smartphone brand. India will play a key role in shaping the future of the global smartphone industry. With our end-to-end capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to build CMF into a global brand, and our joint venture with Optiemus is a key step in that journey.”

Optiemus, known for its expertise in electronics manufacturing, will contribute its engineering and production strengths to this venture. Ashok Gupta, Executive Chairman of Optiemus, highlighted the broader impact of the collaboration, saying, “Global brands choosing India to build is a testament to the vision of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. This partnership goes beyond high-tech manufacturing – it will empower us to create export-ready products designed in India, showcasing the innovation and talent of our people to the world.” IANS